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In town for the Dana Open? Here's what locals recommend beyond the golf course
As golfers flock to Sylvania for the 40th Dana Open golf tournament, they will have plenty to keep them occupied when they’re finished on the green each day. “The city of Sylvania is a small but mighty city,” said Lexi Burton, a leisure sales marketing specialist at Destination Toledo. “Inside the Five is a really good option if people are looking to grab some dinner and good beer while they're at it,” Ms. Burton said. She also suggested visitors looking to further explore the beer scene check out Upside Brewing, which is right across the street from Inside the Five.
Leyland greatest moments countdown No. 2: Pausing argument for 'God Bless America'
Leading up to Sunday’s Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Perrysburg native Jim Leyland, we’re counting down our five favorite Leyland moments. No. 2: Patriotic pause “ … my home sweet home.” Now where the bleep were we?! In a delightful quarrel in two acts, you probably remember the time in 2006 at Yankee Stadium when Jim Leyland got tossed for arguing balls and strikes in the middle of the seventh inning. He began to light into plate umpire James Hoy, paused to pay respect during the playing of “God Bless America,” then immediately picked up where he left the disagreement off.
Toledo unveils options for Jamie Farr Park pool
The city of Toledo is seeking public help choosing one of three options for changes and upgrades to the Jamie Farr Park pool, which authorities say can’t reopen without major repairs once this season is over. The 50-by-80-foot North Toledo pool is in need of $2 million in repairs, Joe Fausnaugh, director of parks and youth services, said Thursday when the city used Jamie Farr Shelter House to unveil the plans. Rather than suggest a $2 million “status-quo” option to repair the pool “as is,” he said, the city is offering the public to choose one of three alternative projects that would each replace the existing pool with one of the following: “This pool is extremely popular,” said Alfonso Narvaez, a neighborhood community leader who attended the event. “I like all three [options], but at the end of the day you see investments into this neighborhood. And that’s really what matters the most, because when you talk to residents they will tell you that they feel forgotten, that the city has left them behind.”
MAC football preseason poll: Toledo 2nd, BGSU 3rd behind favorite Miami
CANTON — If the University of Toledo needed any motivation for the 2024 football season, it arrived on Friday in the form of the Mid-American Conference preseason coaches poll. Miami is the favorite, followed by Toledo, Bowling Green, and Northern Illinois. The RedHawks and Rockets were the only teams to receive first-place votes — nine for Miami and three for UT. BGSU and Northern were tied for the third. “I don’t pay attention to that stuff,” Toledo senior safety Maxen Hook said. “I feel like the MAC’s pretty fluid anyway. It really doesn’t matter what the coaches think. It’s going to come down to who can play ball, and we always find that out in the middle of the year. “I figured that we weren’t going to be the favorite, considering we didn’t win the championship last year. We know what we have to do. We know what we have to do to get back. We know how we fell short last year. We’ve already got plenty of motivation to get back to where we want to be.”
2024 high school football: 10 running backs to watch
It's time to look at which players are expected to be the Toledo area's top returning running backs for the upcoming 2024 season. Here is a profile of 10 running backs being counted upon to play key roles in their teams' offensive success this year. Tyler Morgan, Central Catholic At 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds, the speedy Morgan can find a hole quickly and packs a significant physical punch upon contact with defenders, who rarely bring him down on the initial hit. Overshadowed a bit by Central Catholic’s first team All-Ohio back Marquan Braswell, Morgan filled out what was arguably the state's top 1-2 ground duo. Morgan carried 156 times for 1,055 yards (6.8-yard average) and scored 25 touchdowns for the 16-0 Irish. To date, Morgan's college recruiting interest is primarily from the Division II level.
Out on the lot: Trailer Park Ninjas to invade Toledo Club's annual 'Party'
Cleveland band Trailer Park Ninjas may turn some heads as they headline the 37th annual Party in the Parking Lot at the Toledo Club on Friday. And Toledo Club executive assistant Christina Westmark knows that the band name might play a big role in that. “The name (Trailer Park Ninjas) can be a little bit off putting to some people but they have an incredible following,” said Westmark. “They do a very good mix of American music, so we’re trying to appeal to all of the different crowds and tastes.” Normally an exclusive, private organization, the Toledo Club will open its doors — and ample parking lot — to non-members from 6 p.m. to midnight to raise funds for the club’s 2024 charity, TEAM, which stands for Toledo Elementary Athletics Movement.
'I'm not supposed to be here,' Trump says; 'Yes, you are!' Republicans cheer
MILWAUKEE — The 45th president of the United States took the stage on Thursday at the Republican National Convention to accept his party's nomination to become the 47th — just days after surviving an assassination attempt in a Pennsylvania field. “Tonight through faith and devotion I proudly accept your nomination for president of the United States,” former President Donald Trump said to cheers from the crowd in the Fiserv Forum. He described to the crowd what he experienced in those moments in Butler, Pa. “I felt very safe because I had God on my side,” he told the crowd, who interrupted his speech with “Fight! Fight!”
Editorial: Dems, GOP fail on voter reform
Passage of the SAVE Act in the U.S. House of Representatives could address a valid issue of noncitizens potentially voting in U.S. elections, if only Republicans and Democrats wanted it to. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibilty Act that passed July 10 by mainly party line vote requires federal and state elections officials to require proof of citizenship when registering voters. Read more Blade editorials Majority Republicans in the House could have crafted a nonpartisan bill that would begin to establish national protocols to ensure that people can prove their citizenship when they register to vote without undue inconvenience. We need legislation like that. The National Voter Registration Act was passed in 1993 and is a bit rusty.
Toledo native picked to take helm of community foundation
In the wake of the tremendous 20-year legacy left by former Greater Toledo Community Foundation president and CEO Keith Burwell, a search committee has selected Kate Sommerfeld to take the reins and continue where Mr. Burwell left off serving Toledo and the surrounding areas. A native Toledoan, Ms. Sommerfeld has experience working with the United Way and spent more than eight years at ProMedica, where she was first the corporate director for the Social Determinants of Health Institute and then president of the institute. The institute was the first health system-based organization focused on creating social and economic opportunity, and Ms. Sommerfeld spearheaded initiatives focused on corporate giving, community investment, and board service for nonprofits — all to improve the health of the community. She spent the last year as a national adviser for Social Impact Consulting Solutions, where she supported organizations, philanthropic institutions, and communities to find solutions to local issues.
Hye-Jin Choi shoots 7-under-par 64 to grab 2024 Dana Open lead after 1st round
After taking time to settle into her round on Thursday at Highland Meadows with a steady start, Hye-Jin Choi responded with seven birdies over her final 11 holes to finish her opening round with a 7-under-par 64 to grab the outright lead after the first round of the Dana Open. Choi, a 24-year-old South Korean, felt out the course during the beginning of her afternoon round by parring each of the first seven holes after teeing off on the back nine at No. 10. Then she birdied the final two holes of her front nine before going 5-under on her...
Walleye bringing back Darion Pilon for 2024-25 season
Forward Darion Pilon is returning to the Toledo Walleye for the 2024-25 ECHL season after agreeing to terms with the team on Thursday. The 25-year-old Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, native played in 31 games as a rookie for the Walleye in 2023-24. During his time in Toledo, Pilon tallied three points — a goal and two assists — after being claimed off of waivers from Fort Wayne prior to the regular season. Pilon also posted 34 penalty minutes a season ago. Prior to turning pro, he spent three seasons at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada where he netted 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) in 66 collegiate games. He racked up 223 penalty minutes while at Prince Edward Island.
Toledo's finances in good shape, members of council are told
Toledo’s finances so far this year are in good shape, according to city officials who appeared before a Toledo City Council committee on Thursday. Melanie Campbell, interim finance director, and John Zawisza, commissioner of taxation, provided a report to the Finance, Debt & Budget Oversight Committee on the city’s finances through the month of June. Income tax collections for 2024 through the month of June total approximately $104.1 million for the general fund, compared to $98.8 million through the same period last year. For the road improvement fund, income tax collections total approximately $11.4 million through June this year, compared to $10.8 million through June, 2023. Total collections through June are about $115.5 million.
Library's lunchtime music program continues Wednesday
The Toledo Lucas County Public Library’s Music at the Library summer series continues Wednesday, with a performance by Laurie Swyers and New Moon, a Toledo based blues rock/folk band. The free concert, at noon on the north lawn of the main library, will be moved inside in the event of inclement weather.
Napoleon man to serve up to 30 years in crash that killed passenger
MONROE — A Napoleon, Ohio, man will spend up to 30 years in prison for the death of a woman who was a passenger in his car when he fled police and crashed. Kim Lynn Fitch, Jr., 32, was sentenced Thursday by Circuit Judge William Paul Nichols to 13 to 30 years for involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving causing death and 17 to 30 years as a fourth felony habitual offender for first degree fleeing and eluding police officers. His sentences will run concurrently. Lesley Rosales, 46, of Leipsic, Ohio, died as a result of the injuries she sustained when Fitch crashed into a utility pole at Monroe and Tecumseh streets in Dundee, Mich., as he was fleeing police.
TARTA to acquire 12 new paratransit vehicles, redo bus stop signs
At Thursday’s board of trustees meeting, the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority authorized the acquisition of 12 new vehicles for paratransit services and emphasized its initiative to redo bus stop signage in the Toledo area. In a resolution the board approved, the agency’s CEO was given the green light to execute a contract for 10 2023 Starcraft Allstar 26 vehicles and two Ford E-Transit 350 Gamechangers. The total cost is not to exceed $1.6 million. The 10 Starcraft vehicles will be replacing old vehicles, and the two Gamechangers will be increasing the fleet size, said Rick Bailey, chief customer experience and mobility officer. Toledo Area Regional Paratransit Services — designed for those with disabilities — include buses with lifts, ramps, and trained staff members. TARPS customers can use the TARTA bus line free of fare. They can also use TARTA Flex, an accessible on-demand van system, for $3 each way.
Doctors provide conflicting analyses from toddler's autopsy during murder trial
Lucas County Coroner Thomas Blomquist and one of his office’s former deputy coroners agreed in court testimony Thursday that a 3-year-old boy’s October, 2022, death was caused by severe head and neck trauma, but they differed on whether he was a homicide victim. Dr. Blomquist, who was a deputy coroner when he performed the autopsy on Declan Hill, likened the boy’s dislocated neck ligaments to the injuries he often sees on unrestrained car occupants involved in freeway crashes and denied any possibility that or his head trauma could have been caused by a fall in his Sylvania Township home. But...
Maumee River's 50th anniversary as a scenic and recreational waterway is celebrated
Blessed by some of this summer’s more pleasant weather, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources marked the 50th anniversary of the Maumee River’s state scenic and recreational designation on Thursday. Yes, hard as it is to believe, there was a sunny blue sky and a soft, summer breeze, near-perfect conditions that were a far from the kind of dangerous heat, humidity thick enough to choke on, or wicked thunderstorms that seemed so commonplace this year. It was as picturesque of a day as northwest Ohio could have expected as a few dozen people gathered at 3 p.m. inside Providence Metroparks to hear a few brief remarks by Ohio DNR Director Mary Mertz and Metroparks Toledo Executive Director Dave Zenk, followed by a number of activities until 7 p.m. Those included food trucks, with a mobile kitchen offering walleye sandwiches and 50th anniversary cupcakes.
Monroe County Sheriff's Office warns public after pair of assaults
MONROE — In light of a pair of assaults on women in Monroe Township, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is reminding people to remain aware of their surroundings and avoid being alone in dark, secluded areas. The first incident occurred during the early morning hours of Monday in the area of Waterloo Park. The second incident occurred late Wednesday in a wooded area along French Creek in the Meadowbrook Mobile Home Community. No specifics were provided about the nature of the assaults. Investigators are working to determine if the same man was responsible for both incidents. The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information on either incident to call the detective bureau at 734-240-7530.
UT formally breaks ground for Douglas Road footbridge
Construction of a footbridge over Douglas Road by the University of Toledo’s John F. Savage Arena is expected to start later this month following a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning. The bridge is intended to provide a safe connection between the university’s college of engineering and the rest of its main campus as well as serve students who walk to classes from residences east of Douglas and people who park in lots east of Douglas to attend events at Savage. “Our campus spans both sides of Douglas Road, and you can clearly see a path where students regularly cross that busy road outside the crosswalk at the light,” Matt Schroeder, UT’s interim president, said during the ceremony on the Savage Arena side of the bridge site. The crosswalk to which Mr. Schroeder referred is about a quarter mile south of the bridge site, at the Douglas intersection with East Rocket Drive and Oakwood Avenue and at the opposite end of university Parking Lot 19. It is currently the only designated crossing of Douglas between Dorr Street and the Ottawa River.
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